Mohd Mustafa Kamal, a 41-year-old educator from Wakha village near Kargil in Ladakh, has received the National Teachers Award 2026. He was recognized for his innovative approach to teaching Social Science, which includes transforming war-era bunkers into ‘cave classrooms.’ Kamal has redesigned his lessons to focus on experiential and technology-enabled learning, significantly enhancing the educational experience for middle-school students.
Middle School Zgangjing, Sankoo, Kanoor) in Kargil district. “Shri Mohd Mustafa Kamal of Government Middle School Zgangjing, Sankoo, Kargil, Ladakh, has made significant contributions to experiential, contextual, and technology-enabled Social Science education in remote and resource-constrained classrooms. Kamal further stated that teaching geography in Ladakh involves dynamic methods that make the subject engaging and comprehensible for school students.
President Droupadi Murmu conferred the award on him in New Delhi on September 5 (Teachers’ Day), recognising his work at Government Model Middle School Grong Pashkum (also listed as Govt.
Through practical activities, field trips, and cultural interactions, educators create an immersive learning experience that fosters geographical knowledge and respect for Ladakh’s unique environment and heritage, he said.
Innovative Educational Approaches Transform Learning
Since 2011, a notable educational initiative has been underway, emphasizing the use of local environments as learning resources. This initiative includes creative programs like the Cave Classroom, Museum Classroom, and Classroom Parliament, which integrate subjects such as history, geography, economics, and civics with local culture and community life.
The ministry highlighted the incorporation of various digital tools to enhance learning experiences. Platforms like School Bhuvan, Google Earth, Stellarium, Kahoot, and Quizizz have been integrated into the curriculum, alongside the development of digital lessons through PM eVIDYA.
